Changing Landscape
INTRODUCTION: Indian fiction may be finally coming of age, Puja Goyal.
Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.
INDIA has seen an upsurge in the number of published contemporary Indian writers. It's not that they were not published before; today these new age contemporary writers are holding positions of flare and prominence in the market. Kapish Mehra of Rupa & Co, a leading publishing house, says, "The quality of Indian writing has definitely improved in the last 10 years; but more radical changes have been seen in the last three or four years. The distinctive change we see today in Indian writing is in terms of content, style and lucidity in Indian fiction. Initially, Indian writers would write for themselves and pay less importance to the readers, but now... writers keep their readers in mind."
Our writers are competitive and the reader connects to the content of Indian fiction. Kapish explains, "Say for example, I'm from Delhi, and I read something in connection to the issues or stories involving Delhi... I'm able to understand where the writer's words are coming from." It is a myth that Indian authors are finding it difficult to be at par and compete with foreign authors. Writer Neeru Nanda says, "Every writer wants to publish his or her work abroad; this is an exotic idea. But let's get to reality... how will someone who has not heard of the agonies of the Indian system connect to it?" But trends have changed in the international market. More people want to read Indian fiction. Indian authors give us a flavour of Indian writing and a glimpse of what could be an Indian lifestyle.
Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark has been in the book business for 30 years. She says, "Though Indian fiction is becoming popular, I would still say Indian non-fiction like p h i l o s o p h y, self-help books etc... are big!" Indian writing is most associated with philosophy but todayís Indian writer is getting creative with fiction.
The new generation is the one which is giving Indian writing the status of the elite. Kapish elaborates, "What we need to understand is that after some time we will have three generations speaking English; which means more readership and writing in English." Most publishing houses nowadays encourage and promote new authors. They look forward to finding something out of the ordinary. "Our publishing house appreciates and encourages Indian writing. We in India have been prominent in publishing the most number of first authors, and we can go on record for it!" says Kapish.
Never underestimate the power of an intelligent reader: book browsers and readers are well informed, intelligent and eclectic in their approach towards any genre of fiction. Hemu admits that it's a big daily challenge to anticipate what an average Indian reader reads or will buy. "We want to encourage new unknown authors. If they are good; we put them on the recommendation list." Book shop owners have several offers e g: buy two and get three, quizzes, and book readings to create awareness about a new author. However, in the long run, the only virus that is detrimental to a work of fiction is "Piracy".
Regardless of how individuals look at it; lots of businesses are thriving on the road that sells books for cheap. "Piracy does affect selling but then what's available on the road is point zero of what is available in the book shop; it's an ethical call one needs to make and if someone wants to buy a pirated copy, then they will!" explains Hemu. Today, going to a book shop is an experience which is not found on the road; a book shop has more to choose from. As for the Indian writer, they can finally bask in their own space in the market and proudly say that they are making a living writing!
Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.
INDIA has seen an upsurge in the number of published contemporary Indian writers. It's not that they were not published before; today these new age contemporary writers are holding positions of flare and prominence in the market. Kapish Mehra of Rupa & Co, a leading publishing house, says, "The quality of Indian writing has definitely improved in the last 10 years; but more radical changes have been seen in the last three or four years. The distinctive change we see today in Indian writing is in terms of content, style and lucidity in Indian fiction. Initially, Indian writers would write for themselves and pay less importance to the readers, but now... writers keep their readers in mind."
Our writers are competitive and the reader connects to the content of Indian fiction. Kapish explains, "Say for example, I'm from Delhi, and I read something in connection to the issues or stories involving Delhi... I'm able to understand where the writer's words are coming from." It is a myth that Indian authors are finding it difficult to be at par and compete with foreign authors. Writer Neeru Nanda says, "Every writer wants to publish his or her work abroad; this is an exotic idea. But let's get to reality... how will someone who has not heard of the agonies of the Indian system connect to it?" But trends have changed in the international market. More people want to read Indian fiction. Indian authors give us a flavour of Indian writing and a glimpse of what could be an Indian lifestyle.
Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark has been in the book business for 30 years. She says, "Though Indian fiction is becoming popular, I would still say Indian non-fiction like p h i l o s o p h y, self-help books etc... are big!" Indian writing is most associated with philosophy but todayís Indian writer is getting creative with fiction.
The new generation is the one which is giving Indian writing the status of the elite. Kapish elaborates, "What we need to understand is that after some time we will have three generations speaking English; which means more readership and writing in English." Most publishing houses nowadays encourage and promote new authors. They look forward to finding something out of the ordinary. "Our publishing house appreciates and encourages Indian writing. We in India have been prominent in publishing the most number of first authors, and we can go on record for it!" says Kapish.
Never underestimate the power of an intelligent reader: book browsers and readers are well informed, intelligent and eclectic in their approach towards any genre of fiction. Hemu admits that it's a big daily challenge to anticipate what an average Indian reader reads or will buy. "We want to encourage new unknown authors. If they are good; we put them on the recommendation list." Book shop owners have several offers e g: buy two and get three, quizzes, and book readings to create awareness about a new author. However, in the long run, the only virus that is detrimental to a work of fiction is "Piracy".
Regardless of how individuals look at it; lots of businesses are thriving on the road that sells books for cheap. "Piracy does affect selling but then what's available on the road is point zero of what is available in the book shop; it's an ethical call one needs to make and if someone wants to buy a pirated copy, then they will!" explains Hemu. Today, going to a book shop is an experience which is not found on the road; a book shop has more to choose from. As for the Indian writer, they can finally bask in their own space in the market and proudly say that they are making a living writing!
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